Archives for March 4, 2010

”’“There wasn’t anything there,” Ruff said. “It’s my job to get them ready to play. We’ve got a day and a half to get ready for Philly (on Friday). That falls on my shoulders. We didn’t play well tonight, and we broke down system-wise. We got away from playing the way we needed to play.”’

‘A day after being acquired in a trade with Columbus, Torres joined his new teammates for practice Thursday as Ruff reshuffled his top two lines. Torres, an eight-year NHL veteran, skated alongside Derek Roy and Jason Pominville. Slumping winger Thomas Vanek was united with Drew Stafford and center Tim Connolly, the team’s top setup man.’

‘"It wasn’t a very good performance," said winger Jason Pominville of Buffalo’s second loss in as many nights post-Olympic break. "We’re not going to win a lot of games when we score one goal, but the way we gave up opportunities, we’re not going to win many games that way, either."’

‘"This is not the time of year to make big player acquisitions," Regier said Wednesday afternoon, a couple of hours after he made two separate low-profile transactions which cost Buffalo defenseman Nathan Paetsch and left winger Clarke MacArthur while bringing left wing Raffi Torres here. "You can make them, but we’re looking longer term."’

‘The Buffalo offense was a mess, consistently turning the puck over in the neutral zone and at the Washington blue line. Buffalo was outshot overall, 40-24 — and the count was 29-13 over the final 40 minutes.’

‘This year, there’s a wide gap between the top five teams — Washington, New Jersey and Pittsburgh in the East and San Jose and Chicago in the West — and others such as Buffalo, Ottawa and Vancouver. The Capitals were busy for good reason Wednesday. They’re capable of winning the darned thing. The Sabres’ chances are slim at best.’

‘It was a great Buffalo sports moment, a collective thank-you that Miller won’t soon forget. The people let him know how much they appreciated what he had done for his country, his community and his sport, and for carrying himself with dignity and intelligence.’

‘"It’s a good day because I think it’s a statement about a few things," Regier said. "We like this group of players here. We feel that with the addition of Raffi it’s allowed us to get a little bigger on the wall. He’s got good playoff experience. He’s been to the finals. He’s something that we think fits into this group of forwards."’

‘He now will be assessed on a week-to-week basis by his treating neurosurgeon, Dr. Kevin J. Gibbons of University at Buffalo Neurosurgery, and his rehabilitation specialist, Dr. Phillip Kuruvilla, to determine when he will be able to return to his broadcast duties with the Sabres, according to a spokesman for Kaleida Health.’